Final answer:
Cubism challenged traditional art-making by transforming the depiction of three-dimensionality into a flattened, two-dimensional picture plane, emphasizing geometric abstraction and multiple perspectives. It questioned the role of technical skill in art and introduced new ways of constructing forms and spatial relationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cubism originally set out to challenge traditional representations in art, specifically the perspective of depth and three-dimensionality that had been established during the Renaissance. At the core of Cubism lay the idea of depicting subjects from multiple angles simultaneously and presenting them within a flattened picture plane to emphasize the two-dimensionality of the canvas. Cubist artists like Picasso and Braque approached this by breaking down objects into geometric forms and reconstructing them in an abstract, stylized manner.
The movement evolved through different stages, with Analytic Cubism focusing on a muted palette and fragmented objects to prevent color from interfering with the representation. Synthetic Cubism brought brighter colors and the use of collages, challenging the elitism of art by questioning the relationship between technical skill and art-making. Their work led to a radical reconstruction of the subject into geometric shapes, arranged to offer a new perspective, and to an innovative approach in depicting space and its contents.
Moreover, Cubism was a response against the established artistic norms, aiming to integrate diverse sensations into a total image on a flat surface. It introduced a discussion about art and craft, high and low art, and the unique versus the mass-produced. It was transformative, impacting the direction of modern art by redefining the relationship between object, space, and viewer.